Job Description

Company Overview

Nippon Seiki is a world-class manufacturer of instruments for vehicles, agricultural, and construction equipment. Established in 1946, Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Japan, with numerous facilities worldwide. N.S. International, Ltd. ("NSI"), a group company of Nippon Seiki, located in Troy, MI, is a tier one supplier of instrument clusters and head-up display units for FCA US, General Motors, BMW, Honda, Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Polaris, Arctic Cat and other OEM's.

Purpose of Job

The primary role of the NSNA Advanced Purchasing Buyer is to lead program level sourcing activities for NSNA using a commodity based approach, with clear ownership of commercial strategy, cost improvement, supplier selection and negotiations. This position is responsible for sourcing mechanical components and electronics, and working closely with Engineering, manufacturing locations, Program Management, and Supplier Quality to balance technical requirements with commercial objectives, ensure program milestones are achieved, and deliver best total cost for new programs. In addition, this role actively supports supplier development initiatives to drive continuous improvement, support NSNA’s growth objectives, and strengthen long-term supplier partnerships.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

Top duties or activities in a given year. Not all tasks/steps performed are listed.

• Act as the purchasing representative on project teams, driving the sourcing of new components from the acquisition phase through APQP, industrialization, and launch, including major make-or-buy decisions, analysis of future material requirements, and leading cost discussions for engineering changes and program extensions.
• Manage the RFQ process for all sourcing activities, ensuring suppliers complete all required documentation and meet customer and NSNA key requirements, at each RFQ stage.
• Coordinate the qualification of new suppliers and evaluate risks in the current supply base, working closely with Supplier Quality, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to ensure a robust supply chain and implement contingency plans during the sourcing of new components.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Engineering, Purchase Costing Leader, Manufacturing, and Supplier Quality, on new product designs and the evaluation of potential technical partners. 
• Responsible for developing and executing commodity strategies for the assigned commodity group, including negotiating, implementing, and managing supply agreements, optimizing sourcing, securing favorable terms, driving cost savings, and proactively managing commodity price fluctuations and associated risks.
• Manage and control Bill of Material (BOM) costs throughout each project stage, defining measures to close gaps to targets and tracking sourcing and cost savings KPIs .

Education, Experience and Knowledge

Required and/or preferred level of education, knowledge and skills that are necessary.

Bachelor Degree in Business, Finance, Purchasing, Supply Chain Mgmt, Engineering or related business emphasis MBA or advanced degree is a plus

• Work requires at least 7+ years related work experience (Automotive Industry Tier 1 preferred)
• 5+ years in purchasing role
• 5+ years in a manufacturing environment
• Experience and knowledge in financial analysis, including forecasting & budget management
• Work experience in areas similar to ADAS, EV/HEV, HUD’s
• Basic Knowledge of APQP, PPAP and Supplier development
• Experience with analyzing cost breakdowns
• Technical ability, preferably with electronics and/or metal components
• High level of teamwork skills
• Proven level of negotiation acumen
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams and remote teams
• Experience negotiating and operating in different cultures and working under pressure
• Experience preparing and presenting commodity reports & analysis to Senior Management levels.
• Expertise with RFQ processes and benchmarking costs
• Experience working cross functionally with Product Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Purchasing and Manufacturing to validate supplier costs
• Experience coordinating with project management
• Experience with VA/VE methodologies and processes
• Experience and knowledge in financial analysis, including forecasting & budget management

• Adaptation/Flexibility : Includes keeping an open mind regarding new ideas and ways of doing things. Willing to consider alternative interpretations or ways of looking at the situation. Demonstrating flexibility.
• Initiative/Results Driven : Includes setting high standards of performance for self and others. Striving to accomplish goals even if it means personal sacrifice. Putting the goals of the organization above own goals.
• Judgment/Decision Making : Includes making decisions and takes actions that have beneficial impact. Effectively evaluating information in order to come up with sound conclusions and recommendations.
• Resource Management : Includes setting clear objectives to guide action for self or others to accomplish goals. Organizing or adjusting information, people and materials to meet those goals.
• Team Work : Includes encouraging and supporting the ideas and effort of others. Finding ways to help the team or group perform effectively.

Additional Information

Work Hours

Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5pm. Off-hours as needed.

Hybrid position, 2 days onsite / 3 days offsite

25% international and/or domestic. 

If domestic travel is necessary, valid drivers’ license is required.

If international travel is necessary, valid passport is required.

NA

DISCLAIMER

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

N.S. International, Ltd. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Candidates must meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years to comply with labor laws and job responsibilities.

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